Ayr Fire and Rescue Station: LNP election pledge to fund new facility

The problem-plagued Fire and Rescue Station in Ayr could have been handed a death blow after the LNP committed to funding a new facility if elected.

The fire station in Ayr.

The problem-plagued Fire and Rescue Station in Ayr could have been handed a death blow after the LNP committed to funding a new facility if elected next month.

“The LNP will deliver a new Fire and Rescue Station in Ayr as a priority to ensure our first responders have the resources they need to keep our community safe,” Burdekin MP Dale Last said.

“Locals have spoken out on behalf of full-time and auxiliary firefighters and were demanding action.”

The 65-year-old station is blighted with contamination concerns surrounding the persisting presence of cancer-causing “forever chemicals” per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Burdekin MP Dale Last questions Minister for Agricultural Industry Mark Furner during Estimate hearings at Queensland Parliament in July. Picture: Richard Walker

He said the LNP had committed $2 million to get the project started.

“It’s been 5 years since the PFAS issue at the site was identified but, as recently as July, the commissioner confirmed there was no funding for a replacement,” he said.

“Our commitment means the delays will end and a new station will be built as a priority.”

The LNP MP said the commitment was about ensuring first responders were effectively resourced from both a response and training points of view.

“Our firefighters are stuck with a 65-year-old station that is an environmental risk and no longer fit for purpose because there’s no funding to build a new one,” he said.

“When we talk about Queenslanders needing a government that delivers the facilities and services we need for the future, it is projects like this that we are talking about.”

Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd said the budget had already delivered $4 million for the start of remediation and work was also underway to determine a new site. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd said the budget had already delivered $4 million for the start of remediation and work was also underway to determine a new site.

“Right now, QFD is working to secure land for that new site, which is something you do when you are going to build a replacement fire station.”

She said that as Queensland’s population increased, only the Miles Government had a plan to continue growing and supporting the state’s front-line.

“The last time the LNP was in government, instead of building up the State’s front-line fire response, the LNP made savage cuts, even forcing front-line firefighters to buy their own safety equipment,” she said.

“LNP leader David Crisafulli still refuses to reveal his economic plan and rule out cuts to Queensland’s front-line services.”

Originally published as Ayr Fire and Rescue Station: LNP election pledge to fund new facility